"Gran Torino" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The 2008 Clint Eastwood Film

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"…I Confess That I Have No Desire To Confess…" – Gran Torino on BLU RAY

Walt Kowalski is old school. A Korean War veteran and lifelong Ford autoworker ("Would it kill you to buy American...") - he snarls at his scantily dressed teenage granddaughter who disrespectfully texts someone while attending his wife's funeral. He spits on his next door neighbour's front lawn because it's not as spic and span as his own - and looks close to punching out the well-meaning but life-naïve local young priest Father Janovich who just wants to 'help' after his wife's passing (dialogue above). And as the American flag flies over his home - Walt and his dog Daisy sit on the porch not suffering anyone let alone fools gladly - while drinking brews and cursing the rubbish printed in the Astrology section.

His middle-aged sons Mitch and Steve live as far away from him as possible (Michigan mostly) and despair of his grouchy growling nature - permanently frothing at the state of the America he fought for in 1952's E-Company Platoon. He calls people in the Chinese and Mexican neighbourhood gooks, spicks and swamp rats. When a crowd of well wishers descend on his home for his wife's wake - he snarls "I guess they heard there's gonna be a lot of ham..." Walt Kowalski isn't the nicest person in the world. Yet despite his war ghosts ("The thing that haunts a man the most is the thing he isn't ordered to do...") - Walt has decency in his veins and values in his still-alert mind. And with rifles to fend off intruders - he's kept pristine an American classic car in the garage adjacent to his LA home - a 1972 Gran Torino Sport built by his beloved Ford.

Meanwhile gangs of Hmong and Mexican dudes cruise the streets in cars with guns and semi-automatic rifles looking for trouble or an opportunity to steal something. Walt's immediate neighbours are Hmong - and he snarls at them too. Amongst their large number is older sister and younger brother Sue and Thao. A cousin called Spider in a Hmong Gang has been trying to groom the young Thao - until one day Walt intervenes with his rifle and saves the young boy. To his cringing horror the gook neighbours he was offing all those decades back begin to shower him and his porch with gifts of gratitude. But again - despite their best efforts - he tells them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

One afternoon as Sue (wonderfully played by Ahney Her) is walking home with a wannabe hoodie white boy called Trey on a sort of date - they are set upon by three youths with bad intent towards her. Walt is passing in his truck - sorts them out with a handgun he will clearly use - and gets talking to Sue as they drive back about her 'hill people' and especially her obstinate but dim younger brother Thao (great work from Bee Vang). Slowly he learns of her Asian family's origins (escaping murdering Communists in Vietnam) and likes her spunk. A fledgling relationship begins. A relationship that will see him defend and honour what he once body-bagged with such ease...

Directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Nick Schenk and Dave Johannson - "Gran Torino" features a cast of unknowns and tackles subjects rarely seen on Hollywood billboards. It's masterful stuff with Eastwood as Director and Lead Actor firing on all sixes - getting his teeth into important and relevant stuff. It's also ballsy in its portrayals - and of course what makes his Walt so likeable is that he does speak his mind - does have his own marbles - even if they aren't the most politically correct colours...

The BLU RAY picture quality is immaculate throughout - beautifully film. It's defaulted to 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio so there are bars top and bottom - but even stretched to Full Aspect - it looks properly fabulous.

Audio is Dolby TrueHD, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 5.1, French 5.1, German 5.1, Italian 5.1, Castellan Spanish 5.1 and English 2.0 Audio Descriptive Service. Subtitles are English, Complex Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Castellan Spanish and Swedish (Movie and Bonus Material). Extras include "Manning The Wheel: The Meaning Of Manhood As Reflected In American Car Culture", "Gran Torino: More Than A Car" and exclusive to BLU RAY "The Eastwood Way - Exploring The Actor/Director's Filmmaking Process Up Close".

Racism is a hard one to get right on film - "Crash" and "The Help" are stunning also (see reviews) - and Eastwood's contribution is up there with those masterpieces.

Driving home as he warms to his Native American neighbour - Walt says to Sue with a smile -  "You know what kid...you're all right..."

So is "Gran Torino"...

"Frankie Go Boom" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The 2013 Jordan Roberts Film

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"…A Strong Kind Man Dipped In Metal…" – Frankie Go Boom on BLU RAY

Sat alone with a laptop in his silver Winnebago in the desert of Death Valley outside Los Angeles – 29-year old Frank Bartlett (Charlie Hunnam) is avoiding his mother’s incessant phonecalls while trying to write a novel on revenge. He basically wants to kill his entire family – or if that’s not possible – then just his older brother Bruce will suffice (Chris O’Dowd).

Bruce - whom his mother Karen affectionately calls a ‘little shit’ - has humiliated and tortured Frankie on film more times than Miss Dharma D-Cup has revealed her wonder chest. But even though the Bartletts are reduced to using mopeds because Bruce sold the car for drugs (“apparently the insurance company doesn’t consider it theft if its family…”) – at least he’s out of rehab and 90 days sober. So there is that.

But while in celeb clean-up Bruce has befriended a whacko Hollywood Director called Jack (Chris Noth) who owns a pig and dates a reformed porn-star (mentioned above) who now wants to commune with God’s angels and not men’s underpants. So perhaps Bruce’s teeny-weeny indiscretion of putting Frankie’s Wedding Disaster video (where his wife sleeps with the best man) up on the Internet for 18 million people to see is all behind him. Well, sort of…

Because on his return home to Bruce’s coming-out-of-rehab party – crashing into Frankie and his beat-up car is the literally edible Lassie on her bicycle wearing a bra made of sweets (and little else). Lassie was going to surprise her boyfriend with her kinky outfit beneath a duffle coat – only he surprised her by being in the arms of someone else. So Lassie is drunk and on a bicycle in Los Angeles and collapses in front of Frankie with a bra made of sweets. What is a nice boy like Frankie to do?

After a wake up conversation in his car – he takes Lassie (the truly gorgeous Lizzy Caplan) back to his home where they go his clubhouse in the back yard. Once inside and sat on the bed - Lassie is determined to have a man desire her after her rebuttal – but unfortunately Frankie is so traumatized by his brother’s humiliation video (made him famous for all the wrong reasons) - he can’t get an erection. Hours go by – but with a little revenge pillow talk - they soon sort out Frankie’s soggy chip and physical and emotional sparks fly.

What they don’t know is that older-brother Bruce has spotted a film opportunity that is just too good to pass up. He’s secretly taped the whole sorry impotence thing and transferred it onto a DVD. Bruce now wants to take this latest Frankie disaster flick to mad Jack as a possible Indie Movie – a sex tape without the sex - even if it means destroying his brother’s life yet again (a small price to pay in the name of art).

Both our lovebirds now wake up not knowing what Bruce has done and Lassie leaves the love-struck Frankie a note – “Thanks for the loveliest and strangest night of my life…” But once inside the house again - Frankie learns from his equally crazy parents (great turns by Sam Anderson and Nora Dunn) what Bruce has done – and in desperate mad cap burglary efforts – tries to get the DVD back from Jack before it goes viral with 35 millions hits and his life is screwed for a second time. And on it goes to Frankie having to show his emotional mettle to a lady in need of a little chivalry…

What makes “Frankie Go Boom” so bloody good is a combo of all the right things – a fantastically funny script by Director and Writer Jordan Roberts and a cast to die for (some of whom worked for peanuts). And like a hip homemade movie reel - it uses hand-written cards to divide scenes and cool Indie tunes in between the set pieces.  

But central to it all is the stunning Lizzy Caplan who can probably bat her huge bug eyes at any guy and make them fall in love with her in less than ten seconds (the camera just adores this woman). Siding with her and grounding all the lunacy is Charlie Hunnam who is calm, subtle and just right as the ordinary guy who would be her ‘knight’ when she needs one (dialogue above). Throw in the genius casting of Chris Noth (from “Sex And The City” and “My One And Only”) as a manic Hollywood maverick who wants you to whack his butt to test the firmness of both cheeks as he runs naked on a treadmill - and Ireland’s fabulous Chris O’Dowd as a character who is both obnoxious and adorable at the same time – and you’re on a gigglesome winner.

But the film goes 5-star ballistic when uber tough-guy Ron Perlman (“Sons Of Anarchy”, “Hellboy” and “The Name Of The Rose”) turns up as the heart-of-gold transvestite Phyllis – all make up and fluffy scarves and frilly dresses. His scenes are priceless, achingly funny and even touching (it was a ballsy and smart move on his part to do the role). “I thought one of us in this conversation should be a man…” he advises the lost Frankie on the end of the phone line as Phyllis paints his toenails and smokes a cigar.

I bought the USA Universal BLU RAY (Barcode 025192170461) - which has no REGION B playback problems (plays on UK and Euro machines). The BLU RAY picture quality is superb throughout and the ‘Behind The Scenes’ extra includes interviews with all the cast and the brilliant Writer/Director Jordan Roberts (O’Dowd and Perlman are particularly warm and engaging). There’s 3 film trailers (“Mental”, “A Haunted House” and “Admission”), 6 Deleted/Alternate Scenes and a fun bit on the trained porker ‘Oliver’ called “Pig In the Pool”. Audio is English 5.1 DTS Master Audi and Subtitles are English for the Deaf and Hard Of Hearing, Spanish and French.

“Frankie Go Boom” hits that rare triple whammy with a bullet – it’s cool, it’s sexy and it’s very, very funny.

Not a flaccid symbol in sight. It’s a rock-hard five-boner award for this one folks… 

"This Time Around" by THE STAPLE SINGERS Featuring Mavis Staples – A Review Of Their 1981 American Compilation On Stax Records - Now Reissued For The First Time On CD By Ace Records Of The UK In 2013…

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"...Trippin' On Your Love..." 

Released Stateside in April 1981 on Stax Records MPS-8511 while The Staples Singers were briefly signed to 20th Century and Produced by the legendary Al Bell – this notorious 8-track vinyl LP is actually a compilation of old recordings from the 1970s reworked and reissued without the band's approval (or even knowledge) – put out at a budget price and promptly forgotten. But amongst its embellishments are absolute barnstormers – namely the near fanatical Northern Soul and Club following given to the song "Trippin' On Your Love" in the UK.

This is the first CD reissue and remaster of the "This Time Around" album ever (July 2013 release date) and Ace Records CDSXE 139 (Barcode 029667055321) is a typically brill reissue of a criminally forgotten record (33:23 minutes):

1. Live In Love [Side 1]

2. This Time Around

3. Trippin' On Your Love

4. A Child's Life

5. I Got To Be Myself [Side 2]

6. People Come Out Of Your Shell

7. When It Rains It Pours

8. If It Wasn't For A Woman

The remaster is by NICK ROBBINS at London's Sound Mastering and the 8-page booklet contains detailed liner notes by long-time Soul Fan and Ace Associate – TONY ROUNCE.

It starts out badly in my book – the "Live In Love" track probably dates from as early as 1969 or 1970 – so the instrumentation over it sounds up to date while the vocal sounds way too distant and demo-ish. "This Time Around" slows it down with a "...won't let my man down..." lyric. It is pretty once it gets going, but again the instrumentation still feels tagged on. But things go stratospheric with "Trippin' On Your Love" which is just gorgeous.

"A Child's Life" is sweet but far better is the Side 2 opener "I Got To Be Myself" – muted at one point to be 7" single (Stax 0255) - but it legendarily never got released (not even a promo has been found). Recorded around 1975 – "I Got To Be Myself" is a proper Staples winner. And it's followed by 3 superb tracks especially "When It Pours It Rains" and "If It Wasn't For A Woman" which contains stunning Mavis vocals ("...a house would never have been a home…if it wasn't for a woman…") and sympathetic arrangements.

So there you have it. In a ragbag like this, five out of eight tracks is not a bad tally in my book and when it comes to The Staples Singers, I gotta have it. And its relatively cheap too...

PS:

See also my reviews for the Staple Singers albums "We'll Get Over" (1969) and "Be Altitude: Respect Yourself" (1972) alongside CD compilations "The Ultimate Staple Singers" (2004), "Faith & Grace: A Family Journey 1956-1976" (2015) and "For What It's Worth: The Complete Epic Recordings 1964-1968" (2018)

"Snakes And Ladders/Sleepwalking" by GERRY RAFFERTY (June 2012 UK EMI '2 Original Classic Albums' 2CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry…

 

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"...Find A Way Home..."

Having bought and reviewed the 2CD reissue of Gerry Rafferty’s 1978 masterpiece "City To City" in September 2011 – like most fans I've been patiently waiting for EMI to get to the rest of his catalogue.

Well they sort of have – and this cheapo double CD reissue is one of the piddly results. There’s not much to go on unfortunately but nevertheless - let's get to details...

UK released June 2012 – "Snakes & Ladders/Sleepwalking" by GERRY RAFFERTY on EMI 5099970475326 (Barcode 5099970475326) offers '2 Original Classic Albums' from 1980 and 1982 reissued onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (48:48 minutes):

1. The Royal Mile [Side 1]

2. I Was A Boy Scout

3. Welcome To Hollywood 

4. Wastin' Time

5. Look At The Moon

6. Bring It All Home

7. The Garden Of England [Side 2]

8. Johnny's Song

9. Didn't I

10. Syncopathin' Sandy 

11. Cafe Le Cabotin

12. Don't Close The Door 

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 3rd solo album "Snakes And Ladders" – released April 1980 on United Artists UAK 30296 in the UK and June 1980 in the USA on United Artists LOO-1039 (peaked at No. 15 in the UK LP charts and No. 61 in the USA). 

Disc 2 (37:15 minutes):

1. Standing At The Gates [Side 1]

2. Good Intentions

3. A Change Of Heart

4. On The Way

5. Sleepwalking [Side 2]

6. Cat And Mouse

7. The Right Moment

8. As Wise As A Serpent

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th solo album "Sleepwalking" – released September 1982 on Liberty LBG 30352 in the UK and Liberty LT-51132 in the USA

The gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay pictures the front album artwork on the inner pages of each album – and that's it. The inner sleeves that came with both UK LPs are AWOL - as is all the musician and recording info. No liner notes of any kind. In fact there isn't even mention of mastering - and as far as I can tell – these are exactly the same as the Eighties CDs I've had for years. So the sound is very good, but a sympathetic Peter Mew remaster would have elevated these cool albums to sonic greatness.

But while the presentation may be bog standard – the music is a different matter. These are two great Gerry Rafferty albums (is there a bad one?) – with the second definitely having the edge on the first.

"Snakes And Ladders" opens proceedings with the Drum and Fife of "The Royal Mile" with that lovely melody of his. Ex Les Fleur De Lys guitarist Bryn Haworth plays his distinctive slide guitar on the superb "I Was A Boy Scout". Orchestra Arranger Will Malone and String Leader Gavin Wright add a huge amount to the melody of "Look At The Moon". Pete Wingfield (ex Jellybread and solo star of "Eighteen With A Bullet" fame) adds his keys to the jaunty "Bring It All Home" which also features the awesome 'Baker Street' Saxophone of Raphael Ravenscroft (as does the song "Welcome To Hollywood"). Side 2 opens with the wonderfully languid "The Garden Of England" and Rafferty returns to an old Stealers Wheel tune with "Johnny's Song". He then goes all country swing with "Didn't I". Both Pete Wingfield and Bryn Haworth guest on keys and guitar on the finisher "Don't Close The Door" – an album highlight. Another contribution comes from Bassist Pete Zorn of the obscure group Fishbaugh, Fishbaugh & Zorn who plays on "Johnny's Song", "Didn't I" and "Syncopathin Sandy".

Although there are 12 tracks on "Snakes" – the 8 on "Sleepwalking" feel so much more mature and cohesive - less tracks but a much better album and I'd argue is an 80ts Classic that goes unrecognized as such. On this sleeper classic "Good Intentions", "On The Way" and "Sleepwalking" are all swirling magnificent – 5 to 6-minute tracks allowed to breathe and linger. The funky and catchy "Cat And Mouse" should have been a single and is so Radio friendly with its chugging guitar and matching vocal. "The Right Moment" is both sad and beautiful. But it's "As Wise As A Serpent" that blows me away every time – a genius Rafferty tune – sly and slinky – it worms its way into your heart – making you want to replay - again and again (lyrics above).

For four to six quid new, these 2CDs are ludicrously good value for money – but let's hope that one day soon - someone somewhere does his EMI/Liberty catalogue a Remaster and Anthology favour. Frankie Miller, Ian Hunter, Robin Trower, Ten Years After and so many others have all received that accolade.

Gerry Rafferty was lost to us in early 2011 to the ravages of booze and it's about time that his memory and especially his musical legacy be given the loving attention its always deserved…